We’re Walking The Line Across the Uncanny Valley

Faceware is proud to help Atomic Fiction walk the line across the Uncanny Valley in the sensational release of The Walk. We’ve been involved with this thrilling project over the past few years, with high anticipation of the final output that VFX supervisor Kevin Baillie and his team would achieve. Early reviews from critics are raving about the stunningly real visual effects, and much of the commentary focuses on the re-creation of the World Trade Center.

So what are we the most excited to hear, or perhaps NOT hear? That no one is questioning, “how did Joseph Gordon Leavitt walk on the cable?”

It is likely that audiences are assuming that all of the Joseph Gordon Leavitt shots were done with use of green screen technology. In reality, around 40 of the shots of him were created digitally using a body performer and photoreal face replacement technology engineered by Faceware.

As Kevin Baille reflected,

“Faceware’s technology allowed Joe’s acting to come through on the digital version of his face. Your technology made it possible for Joe’s character to be faithfully represented.”

The masterful editing by director Robert Zemeckis allowed the face replacement shots to be seamlessly integrated within actual green screen performances. This amalgamation of digital and reality beguiles the audience into believing the faces are all real.

The fact that no one is talking about Joseph Gordon Leavitt walking on the cable validates for us at Faceware Tech that our technology helped Atomic Fiction cross the Uncanny Valley with their Digital Human pipeline. That the cinematic audience believes the digital character is realty gives us a reason to high-5 around the think-tank.

It’s not often a company says they are genuinely thrilled about a PR void when it comes to their contributions — but for us and other vital contributors to film-making, this lack of commentary speaks volumes for this breakthrough. The technology behind The Walk is a major feat for the Visual Effects industry.

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About Faceware Tech

For over a decade, Faceware Tech has pioneered marker-less facial motion capture with our technology and expertise. Our software has been used on Oscar-winning visual effect films, award-winning AAA video games, commercials, music videos, and web series the world over.